Motor Activity Clinic children finish fall program and receive awards.

Motor Activity Clinic children finish fall program and receive awards.

Adapted physical education students work on Saturday mornings under the leadership of Dr. Katie Stanton to provide structured activities for children with disabilities who live in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

This service accomplishes two goals:  improving the self-esteem and movement capabilities of children with disabilities and providing real-life opportunities for students who are considering professions involving adapted physical education. 

Historically, the Motor Activity Clinic has accomplished this by pairing children with disabilities and physical education students.  The children develop trust in their partners and participate in swimming and physical fitness activities with their IUPUI student partners.

In 2006, the program expanded to include service dogs in training.  That is, dogs that are being groomed to work with people who have motor and developmental disabilities.  Dr. Eileen Udry works with Indiana Canine Assistant and Adolescent Network (ICAAN) to prepare these dogs for service dog work. The ICAAN program is primarily prison-based. Adult offenders work with ICAAN staff to train the dogs, prepping the dogs for a life of service to people with disabilities.

Dr. Udry’s students now work side-by-side with Dr. Stanton’s crew to facilitate the motor and sensory experiences of the Motor Activity Clinic kids.  ICAAN’s canines-in-training travel to the clinic, where children with disabilities help the dogs to become better prepared for their future work by placing them in public surroundings full of sensory distractions and physical equipment such as wheelchairs.  The dogs are used a catalyst for helping the children with disabilities move more and grow their verbal and memory skills.

The Motor Activity Clinic’s fall program culminated with an awards ceremony on Saturday, November 11.  Each participant was called up front to receive an award and applause for their hard work. 

The Motor Activity Clinic’s fall program culminated with an awards ceremony on Saturday, November 11.  Each participant was called up front to receive an award and applause for their hard work.  In addition, all participants, students, and volunteers receive t-shirts for their work.  

Registration for the spring session begins soon.  To register or volunteer, contact Dr. Katie Stanton at 317/274-2295. 

Support the Motor Activity Clinic through charitable gift.  The clinic depends on public support for equipment, supplies, participant t-shirts, awards, and snacks.  Your charitable contributions directly offset these program costs.  When making a gift, please be sure to indicate that your contribution supports the Motor Activity Clinic.

Not all families can afford opportunities like Motor Activity Clinic in other forms because registration costs are high.  Contributions help the clinic maintain reasonable participation fees for families, just $25 per eight-week session.  This past year, the clinic’s financial resources were not enough to sustain operations. Clinic snacks and other items were purchased by faculty.  Your gifts will be put to immediate and good use.